David Norton was born around 1800 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England, to Richard Norton and Hannah Unknown. He was convicted of housebreaking on 20 March 1828 and sentenced to life transportation to Australia. His crime occurred in Shropshire, where, at the time of his conviction, he was working as a blacksmith. After departing from London on 20 July 1828 aboard the ship Manlius, he arrived in Hobart on 9 November 1828, and by 1830 was assigned to John Sherwin as a blacksmith on the property, Sherwood. In 1836, David was granted a Ticket of Leave, and by 1841, he had received a Conditional Pardon. During this time, he married Eleanor Lewis in Hamilton on 17 March 1838. Eleanor was convicted of larceny at the Old Bailey Court in London on 10 January 1828 and sentenced to 14 years transportation. By 1844, David had acquired land in Dennistoun Road, receiving a land grant for the property measuring just over one and a half acres, where he operated his blacksmith shop. Eleanor died on 10 May 1854 in Hobart at the age of 53. In 1866, David, aged 66, married Caroline Driscoll, a 64-year-old spinster, at St Luke's Church, Bothwell. In 1857, he was charged with aggravated assault, for which he was fined. In 1866, he was involved in a violent altercation with his nephew, Richard Norton, who worked for him. David was convicted of wounding with intent and sentenced to 12 months in prison. The assault stemmed from a dispute over wages, with Richard accusing David of striking him with an axe after a heated argument. Despite these issues, David continued to live in Bothwell, where he was known for his community involvement. He served as a juror in several inquests, participated in petitions, and made donations to local causes. David died on 2 May 1879 at the Brickfields Pauper Establishment in Hobart. He was buried at Cornelian Bay Cemetery. His wife, Caroline, survived him, passing away in 1882.

David Norton, son of Richard Norton and Sarah Unknown.

Born: abt 1800, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England (FSEB: David Norton, 1800, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JW4R-R5X)
Baptised: 19 Oct 1800, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England (FSEB: David Norton, 1800, West Bromwich, Staffordshire, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JW4R-R5X)
Convicted: 20 Mar 1828, Shropshire, England, house breaking, sentenced to life transportation (CON31: David Norton, no 165, 'Manlius,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON31-1-29/CON31-1-29p320)
Departed: 20 Jul 1828, London, England, 'Manlius' (BATE: p360/1828, 'Manlius')
Arrived: 9 Nov 1828, Hobart (BATE: p360/1828, 'Manlius')
Muster: 1830, attended, blacksmith, assigned to John Sherwin (MUST: David Norton, 1830, no 165, 'Manilus,' https:/www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/486255:1185)
Muster: 1832, attended, blacksmith, assigned to John Sherwin (MUST: David Norton, 1832, no 165, 'Manilus,' https:/www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/497043:1185)
Charged: 26 Aug 1833, Sherwood, Bothwell, striking a servant woman and other misconduct (CON31: David Norton, no 165, 'Manlius,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON31-1-29/CON31-1-29p320)
Muster: 1 Nov 1833, attended (CON31: David Norton, no 165, 'Manlius,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON31-1-29/CON31-1-29p320)
Muster: 1835, attended, blacksmith, assigned to John Sherwin (MUST: David Norton, 1835, no 165, 'Manilus,' https:/www.ancestry.com.au/discoveryui-content/view/19108:1185)
Ticket of Leave: 8 Dec 1836, approved (LA: "Colonial Secretary's Office," 15 Dec 1836, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/84754650)
Permission to Marry: 18 Dec 1837, Eleanor Lewis, approved (CON52: David Norton-Eleanor Lewis, p132/1837, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/con52-1-1p058)
Married: 17 Mar 1838, Eleanor Lewis, Hamilton (RGD36: Norton-Lewis, no 4303/1838, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/rgd36-1-3p171j2k)
Advertisement: 25 Feb 1840, "Five Pounds Reward" (CT: "Five Pounds Reward," 25 Feb 1840, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8750528)
Conditional Pardon: 29 Jan 1841, approved (CON31: David Norton, no 165, 'Manlius,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON31-1-29/CON31-1-29p320)
Census: 1 Jan 1842, adjoining township, owner, brick, completed (CEN1: David Norton, p225/1842, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CEN1-1-2-225)
Juror: 8 Feb 1844, Bothwell, inquest of James Absolom (INQ: James Absolom, no 1030/1844, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/SC195-1-13-1030)
Conveyed: bef 12 Jun 1844, [25] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, 1a 2r 27p from John Hunter Patterson; a deed has not been located (RD1: David Norton, p73/1844, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RD1-1-17/RD1-1-17P73JPG)
Land Grant: 12 Jun 1844, [25] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell (RD1: David Norton, p73/1844, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RD1-1-17/RD1-1-17P73JPG)
Land Grant: 25 Jul 1844, [25] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, enrolled (RD1: David Norton, p73/1844, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RD1-1-17/RD1-1-17P73JPG)
Conditional Pardon: Mar 1845, approved for Australian colonies (CON31: David Norton, no 165, 'Manlius,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON31-1-29/CON31-1-29p320)
Conditional Pardon: 26 Aug 1845, approved for any country except Europe (CON31: David Norton, no 165, 'Manlius,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON31-1-29/CON31-1-29p320)
Article: 15 Oct 1845, named under "Testimonial" Samuel Barrow (COUR: "Testimonial," 15 Oct 1845, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2947172)
Census: 1 Jan 1848, [25] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, owner, wood, completed (CEN1: David Norton, p141/1848, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CEN1-1-74-141)
Article:  23 Oct 1849, named under "District of Bothwell" (HTA: "District of Bothwell," 23 Oct 1849, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/264605187)
Juror: 5 Oct 1850, [8] Crown Inn, Alexander St, Bothwell, inquest of John Kettlewell (INQ: John Kettlewell, no 2401/1850, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/SC195-1-28-2401)
Article:  14 Sep 1853, named under "Petition, Police District of Bothwell" (HTA: "Petition, Police District of Bothwell," 14 Sep 1853,https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/264629534)
Juror: 13 Feb 1855, [8] Crown Inn, Alexander St, Bothwell, inquest of William Brooks (INQ: William Brooks, no 3429/1855, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/SC195-1-35-3429)
Donated: 18 Jun 1855, 10s to the Patriotic War Fund (COUR: "Patriotic War Fund," 18 Jun 1855, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2485531)
Charged: 30 Jun 1855, Lower Court, Bothwell, furiously ridden through the public streets (PS: David Norton, LC49/1/3, image 104, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/LC49-1-3/LC49-1-3P106)
Article:  21 Sep 1855, named under "Bothwell Road District" (MERC: "Bothwell Road Trust," 21 Sep 1855, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2490816)
Juror: 9 Oct 1855, [25] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, qualified (TGG: "Jurors, Bothwell," 1855, p1083, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898N-S9BJ)
Article:  1 Apr 1856, named under "Bothwell" John Whitefoord (COUR: "Bothwell," 1 Apr 1856, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2501286)
Residence:  8 Apr 1856, [25] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, freehold, house, blacksmith's shop (COUR: "Cumberland," 8 Apr 1856, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2501625)
Death Informant: 7 Jan 1857, Henry Norton, nephew (RGD35: Henry Norton, no 1/1857, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD35-1-26p1j2k)
Petition: 8 Aug 1857, Waste Lands 1857, signed, blacksmith (TPP: "Waste Lands 1857," paper 10/1857, https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/tpl/PPWeb/1857/HA1857pp10.pdf)
Charged: 11 Aug 1857, Lower Court, Bothwell, aggravated assault (PS: David Norton, LC49/1/3, image 392, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/LC49-1-3/LC49-1-3P394)
Juror: 12 Jan 1858, [8] Crown Inn, Alexander St, Bothwell, inquest of Thomas Blackey (INQ: Thomas Blackey, no 4156/1858, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/SC195-1-41-4156)
Residence:  18 May 1858, [25] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, owner, house, blacksmith's shop, annual rateable value £25 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1858, p698-699, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898F-VZZ3)
Donated: 6 Jul 1859, £1 to the Wesleyan Chapel Building Fund (HTDM: "Wesleyan Chapel," 6 Jul 1859, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3256179)
Residence:  20 Nov 1860, [25] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, owner, house, blacksmith's shop, annual rateable value £25 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1860, p1884-1885, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98F-VQYQ)
Article:  30 May 1861, named under "To Frederick Synnot, Esq" (MERC: "To Frederick Synnot, Esq," 30 May 1861, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8798617)
Residence:  17 Nov 1863, [25] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, owner, house, blacksmith's shop, annual rateable value £25 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1863, p2130-2131, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-998F-V992-K)
Residence:  15 Nov 1864, [25] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, owner, house, blacksmith's shop, annual rateable value £25 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1863, p2130-2131, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-998F-V992-K)
Conveyed: bef 6 Mar 1865, [25.3] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, 2r 17p to John White & Simon Arnett; a deed has not been located (LIST: John White, title historic, vol 4, fol 98)
Married: 13 Feb 1866, Caroline Driscoll, St Luke's Church, Bothwell (RGD37: Norton-Driscoll, no 2/1866, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD37-1-25p1j2k)
Article:  26 Jul 1866, named under "Second Court" Assault (MERC: "Second Court," 26 Jul 1866, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8840667)
Certificate of Title: 15 Mar 1870, [25.1] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, registered, 1a 10p (LIST: David Norton, title historic, vol 10, fol 128)
Mortgage: 2 Apr 1870, [25.1] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, borrowed £25 from Simon Arnett (LIST: David Norton, title historic, vol 10, fol 128)
Mortgage: 15 Sep 1873, [25.1] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, discharged, £25 paid in full (LIST: David Norton, title historic, vol 10, fol 128)
Advertisement: 13 Oct 1873, "To Let" (MERC: "To Let," 13 Oct 1873, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8917660)
Conveyed: 22 Jun 1874, [25.2] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, 29½p to Charles Kerr Ellis & eleven others, as Trustees of Good Templars (LIST: David Norton, title historic, vol 10, fol 128)
Certificate of Title: 25 Aug 1874, [25.1] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, registered, 3r 19½p, blacksmith (LIST: David Norton, title historic, vol 16, fol 97)
Article: 29 Jan 1875, "Cumberland Election" Maurice Weston (MERC: "Cumberland Election," 29 Jan 1875, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8934936)
Article:  18 Dec 1876, named under "Acknowledgement" Henry C Hurst (MERC: "Acknowledgement," 18 Dec 1876, https:/trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8949923)
Residence:  30 Jan 1877, [25.1] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, owner, house, annual rateable value £10 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1877, p188-189, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98F-KV7W)
Conveyed: 11 Oct 1877, [25.1] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, 3r 19½p to Simon Arnett for £60 (LIST: David Norton, title historic, vol 16, fol 97)
Residence:  19 Mar 1878, [25.1] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, Simon Arnett (owner), house, annual rateable value £10 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1878, p494-495, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-898F-J97X-7)
Residence:  10 Sep 1878, [25.1] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, Simon Arnett leased the property to David & Caroline Norton for the term of their natural lives (LIST: Simon Arnett, title historic, vol 22, fol 113)
Died: 2 May 1879, Brickfields Pauper Establishment, Hobart, blacksmith, senilis, aged 79 (RGD35: David Norton, no 1867/1879, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/rgd35-1-9p214j2k)
Buried: 5 May 1879, Cornelian Bay Cemetery, Hobart (MILL: David Norton, 1879, https:/server2.admin.millingtons.com.au:81/ASP/search_details.asp?RecordID=2442)

Spouse (1) - Eleanor Lewis.

Born: abt 1801, place unknown (RGD35: Eleanor Norton, no 1300/1854, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/rgd35-1-4p133j2k)
Convicted: 10 Jan 1828, Old Bailey Court, London, England, larceny from the person, sentenced to 14 years transportation (CON40: Eleanor Lewis, no 73, 'Mermaid,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON40-1-5/CON40-1-5p317)
Departed: 17 Feb 1828, Woolwich, Kent, England, 'Mermaid' (BATE: p360/1828, 'Mermaid')
Arrived: 27 Jun 1828, Hobart (BATE: p360/1828, 'Mermaid')
Charged: 24 Jun 1831, Sherwood, Bothwell, disrespectful language (CON40: Eleanor Lewis, no 73, 'Mermaid,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON40-1-5/CON40-1-5p317)
Charged: 3 May 1834, Sherwood, Bothwell, proffering a charge against a fellow servant (CON40: Eleanor Lewis, no 73, 'Mermaid,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON40-1-5/CON40-1-5p317)
Permission to Marry: 18 Dec 1837, David Norton, approved (CON52: David Norton-Eleanor Lewis, p132/1837, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/con52-1-1p058)
Married: 17 Mar 1838, David Norton, Hamilton (RGD36: Norton-Lewis, no 4303/1838, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/rgd36-1-3p171j2k)
Charged: 16 Feb 1839, Bothwell, drunkenness & disorderly conduct (CON40: Eleanor Lewis, no 73, 'Mermaid,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON40-1-5/CON40-1-5p317)
Charged: 8 Apr 1839, Bothwell, drunkenness & disorderly conduct (CON40: Eleanor Lewis, no 73, 'Mermaid,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON40-1-5/CON40-1-5p317)
Charged: 20 Jun 1839, Bothwell, drunkenness & disorderly conduct (CON40: Eleanor Lewis, no 73, 'Mermaid,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON40-1-5/CON40-1-5p317)
Charged: 20 Mar 1841, Bothwell, breach of the peace (CON40: Eleanor Lewis, no 73, 'Mermaid,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON40-1-5/CON40-1-5p317)
Charged: 23 Apr 1842, Bothwell, drunk & making use of indecent language (CON40: Eleanor Lewis, no 73, 'Mermaid,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON40-1-5/CON40-1-5p317)
Charged: 1 Dec 1842, Bothwell, drunk & making use of indecent language (CON40: Eleanor Lewis, no 73, 'Mermaid,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON40-1-5/CON40-1-5p317)
Charged: 28 Sep 1844, Bothwell, misconduct (CON40: Eleanor Lewis, no 73, 'Mermaid,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON40-1-5/CON40-1-5p317)
Free Certificate: 1845, approved (CON40: Eleanor Lewis, no 73, 'Mermaid,' https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON40-1-5/CON40-1-5p317)
Charged: 7 Feb 1849, Lower Court, Bothwell, assaulted Mrs Fanny Gregory (PS: Eleanor Lewis, LC49/1/1, p485, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/lc49-1-1/LC49-1-1P534)
Charged: 7 Apr 1849, Lower Court, Bothwell, made use of indecent language (PS: Eleanor Norton, LC49/1/1, p535, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/lc49-1-1/LC49-1-1P584)
Charged: 28 Aug 1849, Lower Court, Bothwell, drunk & made use of obscene language (PS: Eleanor Norton, LC49/1/1, p637-638, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/lc49-1-1/LC49-1-1P687)
Charged: 21 Oct 1850, Lower Court, Bothwell, drunk in the public street (PS: Eleanor Norton, LC49/1/2, p200, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/LC49-1-2/LC49-1-2P244)
Died: 10 May 1854, Hobart, aged 53, delirium tremens (RGD35: Eleanor Norton, no 1300/1854, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/rgd35-1-4p133j2k)

Spouse (2) - Caroline Driscoll.

Born: abt 1802, England (RGD35: Caroline Driscoll/Norton, no 20/1882, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD35-1-10p3j2k)
Married: 13 Feb 1866, David Norton, St Luke's Church, Bothwell (RGD37: Norton-Driscoll, no 2/1866, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD37-1-25p1j2k)
Residence:  26 Feb 1867, [25.1] Dennistoun Rd, Bothwell, David Norton (owner), house, blacksmith's shop, annual rateable value £20 (TGG: "Valuation Roll," 1867, p468-469, https:/www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98F-V3G3)
Died: 20 Feb 1882,  Hobart, aged 80, senilis (RGD35: Caroline Driscoll/Norton, no 20/1882, https:/libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/RGD35-1-10p3j2k)
Buried: 22 Feb 1882, Cornelian Bay Cemetery, Hobart (MILL: Caroline Driscoll, 1882, https:/server2.admin.millingtons.com.au:81/ASP/search_details.asp?RecordID=3678)